When Rocky View School Division first decided not to mandate masks earlier in the summer, I was disappointed. Their reversal of that decision was the right one to make. Unfortunately, with the massive class sizes that we are dealing with, we need to be even more vigilant in enforcing all Covid-19 safety recommendations per AHS guidelines.
The last 18 months have been extremely taxing on everyone’s mental health and the need for support of both teachers and students must to be prioritized. Also, school infrastructure with regards to ventilation, heating and cooling must be addressed, especially with the modular classrooms.
While I understand that some students have trouble with masks I firmly believe the majority will handle them fine. I do believe that all staff and administration should be double vaxed. And I’m definitely of the belief that schools should notify families of cases of Covid-19 in classes when the school is aware. With the recent changes made by AHS this should now happen again.
Mandatory vaccines for staff are, in my view, a viable option to assist in protecting their safety. Any such requirement would need to protect privacy and offer accommodations for staff who can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Bottom line, student and teacher safety is what’s important.
Elect Fred Burley for Airdrie School Trustee 